The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1416 - 1416 689 Your Time Is Up (Second Update)

Chapter 1416: 689 Your Time Is Up! (Second Update) Chapter 1416: 689 Your Time Is Up! (Second Update) Nangong Li returned to the mansion and immediately summoned his trusted guard to inquire about the progress of the investigation.

The guard hesitated and said, “General, there are so many places to investigate, and only one day has passed… Even if we go to the Ministry of Household Registration to check the records publicly, it would still take several days, wouldn’t it?”

Indeed, this was the truth. Investigating someone’s background is not a simple task.

Although the local household registration is kept separate from that of foreigners, the problem was there were quite a number of foreigners too. Besides, the Ministry wouldn’t really hand over the foreign registration records for them to investigate.

Actually, anyone who had seen the Cuju matches wouldn’t find the name Xiao Liulang unfamiliar. However, it was like they were separated by mountains; since Nangong Li did not pay attention to Cuju, he had never heard about Xiao Liulang, who, with his own strength, had changed the style of three Cuju matches in Zhan Country.

Nangong Li was not unsympathetic to the difficulties of his subordinates, but he had his own troubles.

The assassination of Xiao Liulang was a matter not even disclosed to the Han Family by the Crown Prince. He had entrusted Nangong Li with a crucial task, yet he had botched it in Zhan Country and let the target escape under the monarch’s nose.

If the monarch found out about this, they would all be done for!

Frowning, Nangong Li said, “Circumstances are unforgiving. I don’t care what methods you use; you must find Xiao Liulang for me within three days!”

The guard felt bitter inside; not to mention three days, even thirty might not suffice.

With so many people in Shengdu, finding Xiao Liulang was like searching for a needle in the ocean.

The guard sighed, “It would be great if we had our own people in the Ministry of Household Registration.”

The Minister of Household Registration was from the Wang Family, which had not much interaction with the Nangong Family. The Wangs were truly a prospering clan for over a hundred years, with even more influence than the Han Family, ranking them first.

Had it not been for the fact that the respected concubine from the Wang Family couldn’t produce a son, it was uncertain who would have taken the seat of the crown prince initially.

As for secretly infiltrating the Ministry of Household Registration to check the records, it was also difficult. Both the Nangong Family and the Wang Family had their experts, and an attempt at espionage might alarm the enemy, resulting in a loss greater than any potential gain.

Nangong Li’s brow furrowed further, “Stop wasting time with excuses, and just go find the person!”

“Yes!”

The guard hastily left.

Nangong Li closed his eyes.

He had to find Xiao Liulang as soon as possible and kill him!

The Crown Prince had been disappointed in him once already; he couldn’t afford to let that happen a second time!

Before going to rest, Nangong Li suddenly thought of his little son who had suffered an injury; he hadn’t gone to see him for two days.

After thinking it over, he turned and headed to Nangong Lin’s courtyard.

Unaware that his father was coming, Nangong Lin lay on his bed with no proper posture, swinging his legs back and forth, leisurely listening to a servant recount the Cuju matches, “Are you sure? Tianqiong Academy lost?”

The servant chuckled, “Absolutely sure! Young Master, I saw it myself. Oh my, they lost so miserably!”

Nangong Lin slapped his thigh gleefully, “A bunch of overconfident fools, not even considering who opened Jianan Academy! That’s the National Master’s Academy we’re talking about!”

The servant obsequiously agreed, “Young Master’s words are most correct!”

Nangong Lin picked a grape from the tray held by a kneeling maid, popped it into his mouth, and asked, “By the way, what happened to that Xiao Liulang? How mad did he get?”

The servant replied, “He didn’t go.”

Nangong Lin’s brow furrowed, “What do you mean?”

The servant explained, “Just what I said: he didn’t go. That day, even Mu Chuan, who had just recovered from his injury, played. But Xiao Liulang never showed up from beginning to end. I later inquired and it seems… Xiao Liulang was ill, very seriously ill, and couldn’t come to the match.”

Nangong Lin laughed heartily, “Serves him right! Xiao Liulang finally got his due!”

“Exactly… My lord!” The servant’s words were cut short as he suddenly saw Nangong Li standing at the door. His face turned pale with fright, and he bowed deeply.

“Father!” Nangong Lin quickly dropped his bad posture and sat up properly, discreetly gesturing to the maid by his side.

The maid cleared the fruit platter and rose to her feet, paying respect to Nangong Li, “My lord.”

Recalling his son’s earlier insouciant demeanor angered Nangong Li, but in front of the servants, he preserved his son’s dignity, “All of you, leave.”

“Yes.” The servant and maid promptly exited, making sure to close the door behind them for the two.

Nangong Lin asked, “Father, why have you come so late?”

Nangong Li swept a cold glance over him, “You are here recuperating, and that is why you didn’t go to the Academy? Is that your idea of recovering?”

“I…” Nangong Lin nervously fidgeted with his sleeves, “I was just… stretching my limbs.”

Being caught in an act of wrongdoing wasn’t what upset Nangong Li the most; it was that even when caught, his son still refused to admit it.

Nangong Li really wanted to slap him. Raising his hand, Nangong Lin quickly shielded his head in fear.

But Nangong Li, seeing the scar on his son’s wrist, suppressed his anger and lowered his hand, “Starting tomorrow, you are going back to the Academy!”

“Oh.” Nangong Lin replied reluctantly.

Nangong Li shouted sternly, “What attitude is that!”

Startled, Nangong Lin quickly stammered, “I’ll go! I’m going! I’ll definitely go!”

Nangong Li asked, “I heard you mention a name just now, Xiao Liulang. Who is that?”

“Oh, him? He’s a commoner from a lower country.” Nangong Lin had never explained to his family the true reason for his injury, for one, because his father did not allow cheating in Cuju, and secondly, cheating was one thing, but winding up injuring himself in the process was utterly shameful.

Therefore, his family thought it was merely an accident and didn’t specifically inquire about any Cuju player on the field.

Nangong Li’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Which subordinate country?”

Nangong Lin thought for a moment, “It seems to be… Zhan Country or Zhao Country? I can’t remember.”

Nangong Li slowly clenched his fist, “Newcomers?”

Nangong Lin nodded, “Yes.”

“Which Academy?” Nangong Li asked.

Nangong Lin replied, “Tianqiong Academy. They made it to the last round, but were miserably defeated by Jianan Academy.”

Tianqiong Academy, Xiao Liulang, a man from a subordinate country.

Ha, it seems my effort has not gone to waste in finding what I sought without looking hard!

Xiao Liulang, your time to die has come!

…

Gu Jiao returned to the Mansion.

It was already late. Mrs. Nan was doing embroidery in the main hall while waiting for her. Mrs. Nan was not only bad at cooking; her needlework was also clumsy, but now that she was a mother, although just a foster mother and a teacher, she decided to quickly learn all these skills.

“Jiaojiao is back.” She put down her embroidery, “Have you eaten yet?”

Gu Jiao replied, “I’ve eaten already; you should rest early, Mrs. Nan.”

“I’ll sleep after finishing this. How do you think I did?” Mrs. Nan showed her work that she had been embroidering all evening to Gu Jiao.

Honestly, Gu Jiao hadn’t seen needlework that could barely compete with her old aunt’s for a long time.

“…You’ve made progress.” Gu Jiao said without changing her expression.

Mrs. Nan smiled contentedly, “Right? I think so too.”

Having received praise, Mrs. Nan became even more motivated, energetically continuing her embroidery.

Gu Jiao was at a loss for words but decided to let it be, as long as her teacher was happy.

Gu Jiao went to Gu Yan’s room.

Gu Xiaoshun was already fast asleep, and Gu Yan was sleeping lightly or perhaps he hadn’t slept at all.

Gu Jiao touched his forehead, “I told you I would come back.”

“Mhm.” Gu Yan made a soft sniffling sound.

“Sleep now.” Gu Jiao whispered softly.

…

The next day before dawn, Nangong Li got up. If it hadn’t been for the City gates already closing last night due to it being too late, he might have gone straight to Tianqiong Academy in the middle of the night.

As soon as the City gate of the Inner City was opened, Nangong Li took a carriage and drove out.

Don’t underestimate Xiao Liulang for being just a weak scholar; he’s as cunning as Marquis Xuanping, and too important for subordinates to handle. Nangong Li wanted to kill him with his own hands!

Nangong Li’s carriage arrived near the Academy.

The coachman was his trusted guard, disguised well enough that no one could recognize his true face.

“Go and ask.” Nangong Li said.

“Yes!”

The trusted guard hopped off the carriage and headed to the entrance of Tianqiong Academy, handing the gatekeeper a string of coins, smilingly saying, “Young fellow, I’m from Wuyue Academy. My Young Master greatly admires Master Xiao’s character and wishes to get acquainted with him. I’m here to inquire, has Xiao Liulang, Master Xiao, arrived?”

The gatekeeper pocketed the coins, “Master Xiao won’t be coming to the Academy today. You’ve made a wasted trip.”

The trusted guard was slightly taken aback, then smiled and asked, “May I inquire where he has gone?”

The gatekeeper replied, “He has gone to the Imperial Palace to see His Majesty!”

The trusted guard’s face drained of color, “What, what? To see His Majesty?”

“Are you serious?” Nangong Li, hearing the trusted guard’s report from inside the carriage, furrowed his brow with concern, “How could he be going to see His Majesty? His Majesty wouldn’t meet with a man from a subordinate country without good reason.”

The trusted guard said, “That gatekeeper mentioned something about a ballgame. They lost, but Jianan Academy exchanged their reward with them. Jianan Academy took ten thousand taels of gold, and they got the privilege of an audience with the Emperor.”

If Xiao Liulang had gone somewhere else, Nangong Li could have waited for his return.

But Xiao Liulang went to the Imperial Palace, to see the Emperor.

Nangong Li clenched his teeth, “He must not meet the Emperor! Back to the Inner City!”

…

On a luxurious carriage heading to the Inner City, besides Mu Qingchen, there were four other members from Tianqiong Academy’s ballgame team.

Mu Chuan, still feeling some pain in his forehead, asked peculiarly, “Liulang, didn’t you say you didn’t want to enter the palace? Why have you changed your mind?”

Gu Jiao smiled wickedly, “I thought about it; a trip to the palace wouldn’t be too bad.”

Nangong Li, if you want to kill me, then come to the Imperial Palace and do it!